An interview with teen motocross athlete, Tanya Muzinda

15-year-old Tanyaradzwa “Tanya” Muzinda is a motocross champion. The Zimbabwean  teenager began competing in the dangerous sport at five years old with the support of her father, a former biker himself. In 2017, Muzinda fell off a 100-foot-high jump during practice and injured her hip. She had to take a break from riding, but she has since resumed her career.

Muzinda — an honorary ambassador of the European Union to Zimbabwe for Youth, Gender, Sports and Development — explained to the FBomb how she came to motocross, the challenges she faces as an African girl in a sport full of generally privileged people, and how she is giving back to her community — especially the girls in it. 

The FBomb: How and why did you first get involved with the sport?

Tanya Muzinda: It all started when my dad’s friend invited us to the motocross track to see if I liked it. At that time, his friend didn't know that I was a girl, so he was very shocked when we arrived at the motocross track. But he couldn't say no, so he gave me a bike and I started to ride. I fell off the bike and told my parents I didn't want to go back, but they gave me words of encouragement that I'll forever be grateful for. I got back on the bike and never wanted to come off. 

In 2017, you fell from a 100-foot high jump while practicing for a competition and injured your hip. How did you recover and how has that event affected how you approach the sport and life itself — if it has at all?

It really affected my riding. I wasn't able to run or even walk for some months. I had to go to a physiotherapist [and hope for] a faster recovery. When I thought I had recovered, I went back on my bike, but it hurt a lot. So, I had to wait a few more weeks. I started to fully recover at the end of 2018, which I was happy about.  

The same year, you came in third place at your first overseas race in England. You were the first female competitor to win a round. How do you feel about being the "first" woman to accomplish something — especially in a sport that is so male-dominated?

It was all unexpected. When I was preparing for the [race in the] UK, all I wished for was to end up in the top 10. I wasn't expecting to finish in the top 3. I finished my first race number 10 and built my way up to number 3. Leaving a record of being the first female to come first means so much to me, especially coming from Africa. No one really expected that from me.

You have done a lot of good work for your community, including helping students in your city enroll in school. Why did you get involved with this issue, and what have you learned by doing this work? 

Most of the time, I go for about six months to a whole year without riding, and the feeling is so depressing. I can imagine a child who stands by the window, watching other children in their school uniforms, [feeling the same]. 

I chose to focus on [paying for school for] girl children because I feel that they don't get that much attention. I learned that most parents would rather send their boy child to school than their girl child, and I believe that every child needs education no matter what their gender is. 

I initially had paid for 45 kids [to go to school], but I realized there were actually more children who were in need, so added on another 55.

What are your plans for the future?

My plan for the future [is] to race in the Women's World Championships and be the first Black African to win a championship. This has been a dream of mine since I was only nine years old, and I know that with persistent hard work and determination, I will make it.